FOUND IN SALT WATER TORN APART

[NeWbE123]

I don’t know what happened. But i was looking in my habitat and I saw something suspicious in the water. His head is the second picture. And his claws and legs are in there. The abdomen is no where to be found or the shell. There looks like there is still “meat” attached to the limbs. What happened? The last one I saw in the water dish was my baby Medusa. She’s an E. I believe that’s who this is.


Vincent [HEAVY BLACK HEART]️ Mischievous [HEAVY BLACK HEART]️ Hercules[HEAVY BLACK HEART]️

[piratetoothgir]

Oh my, this is terrible!
He was definitely attacked, so we need to find out why.

Are you providing enough protein for both of the crabs? If you don't give them enough variety, they will lash out onto another crab for the protein.
Ecuadorians are very attached to the need for protein, they must receive it almost every day of the week!

If you could please fill out the template, that'd help us greatly.
http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... 27&t=46102

[wodesorel]

Oh man, I am so sorry this has happened! Finding carnage is the absolute lowest point of crabbing. *hugs*

Please do fill out the help questions when you can. It covers everything we need to know in order to figure out what may have happened.

And they are wild animals. Even when things are perfect things like this can happen. They are unpredictable, and accidents can occur.

[NeWbE123]

Oh man, I am so sorry this has happened! Finding carnage is the absolute lowest point of crabbing. *hugs*

Please do fill out the help questions when you can. It covers everything we need to know in order to figure out what may have happened.

And they are wild animals. Even when things are perfect things like this can happen. They are unpredictable, and accidents can occur.

1. Eco earth. 5 1/2 inches deep
2. I have three. I have two on the sides for heat and humidity and one in the middle twords the bottom. Usually humidity ranges from 100% to 85% and the temp is usually 80-90 degrees f.
3. Uth heaters on the back and the sides of the tank.
4. Fresh and salt are both available. And changed out weekly or when dirty. I used pre made salt water from petco. And fresh water is dechlorinated using a store bought fish tank de chlorination drops.
5. I feed a variety of fresh fruits and veggies. Typically melons, Berry’s, banana is a favorite. Coconut, broccoli, peanuts, almonds, tomatoes, cucumbers. for protein I give peanut butter, lean cuts of pork, chicken and fresh fish cuts. It’s changed out every other day. Or if it looks gross before then I change it. I also have celery growing in the tank.
6. The one that died. I’ve had her for about two or three months. I’m not 100% sure if it was Medusa or not. I had two that were molting. Both E, two pp were out and about. When this attack had to of occurred. One pp is one of my originals. I’ve had her for about a year. And the other pp is my baby Aries who is the size of a quarter.
7. See above.
8. 22 gallon long tank. Plexiglas lid with hinges in the middle.
9. There were 4 crabs. Two medium. And two small ones.
10. About 3-4 per crab. All different sizes and shapes.
11. No recent fumes.
12. I usually just pick up and re organize the tank on sundays. I use a dry papertowl to wipe down the glass. No cleaner. If needed I’ll used a little dechlorinated water on the paper towel. When they’re all out and not Molting. Usually about once a month. I’ll take out all the plastic and boil it in dechlorinated water to keep the smell and the mold down.
13. No sponges. I keep a ramp and gravel in the dishes.
14. The celery plant. But it was about three weeks ago.
15. I like to take my crabs out and let them run in a large shoe box when I clean the cage.
16. See above.

[piratetoothgir]

1. Eco earth. 5 1/2 inches deep

SC: Alright, so the depth of your substrate is extremely important. Ecuadorians need a minimum of 12 inches to molt, and dig in.
If they do not have deep enough substrate, they will not be able to molt correctly, or they may dig up other crabs.

2. I have three. I have two on the sides for heat and humidity and one in the middle twords the bottom. Usually humidity ranges from 100% to 85% and the temp is usually 80-90 degrees f.

SC: Great!

3. Uth heaters on the back and the sides of the tank.
4. Fresh and salt are both available. And changed out weekly or when dirty. I used pre made salt water from petco. And fresh water is dechlorinated using a store bought fish tank de chlorination drops.

SC: The HCA, and a lot of the members here recommend using Instant Ocean for saltwater, and use Seachem Prime to dechlorinate and remove heavy metals.
I am not sure of this premixed saltwater from PetCo, but I personally wouldn't advise you use it.

5. I feed a variety of fresh fruits and veggies. Typically melons, Berry’s, banana is a favorite. Coconut, broccoli, peanuts, almonds, tomatoes, cucumbers. for protein I give peanut butter, lean cuts of pork, chicken and fresh fish cuts. It’s changed out every other day. Or if it looks gross before then I change it. I also have celery growing in the tank.

SC: Good, sounds fine so far. Just remember that Ecuadorians need tons of protein in order to have a healthy body, and retain the nutrients that they must have!
Lack of protein can result in attacks on other crabs because they contain protein that is an easy source to obtain.

6. The one that died. I’ve had her for about two or three months. I’m not 100% sure if it was Medusa or not. I had two that were molting. Both E, two pp were out and about. When this attack had to of occurred. One pp is one of my originals. I’ve had her for about a year. And the other pp is my baby Aries who is the size of a quarter.
7. See above.
8. 22 gallon long tank. Plexiglas lid with hinges in the middle.
9. There were 4 crabs. Two medium. And two small ones.
10. About 3-4 per crab. All different sizes and shapes.
11. No recent fumes.
12. I usually just pick up and re organize the tank on sundays. I use a dry papertowl to wipe down the glass. No cleaner. If needed I’ll used a little dechlorinated water on the paper towel. When they’re all out and not Molting. Usually about once a month. I’ll take out all the plastic and boil it in dechlorinated water to keep the smell and the mold down.
13. No sponges. I keep a ramp and gravel in the dishes.
14. The celery plant. But it was about three weeks ago.
15. I like to take my crabs out and let them run in a large shoe box when I clean the cage.

SC: You do not need to remove any crabs while cleaning the tank, because you shouldn't be removing substrate in large quantities, just a bit here and there.
When I clean my tank, I do not touch any of the crabs, just do the work needed

16. See above.

I have replied as SC for Stella Crab, in bold

[GotButterflies]

I replied with GB for GotButterflies. First of all, I am really sorry that you experienced this. I'm so sorry for your loss. I have 10 Es, and keep them successfully with PPs. I have for years. I do recommend a minimum of 10-12" of substrate, lots of protein and calcium (I feed mine 2 protein choices a day.

1. Eco earth. 5 1/2 inches deep GB: Okay - Es are diggers - must increase this to 10-12" immediately. Make sure to mix it with dechlorinated msw.
2. I have three. I have two on the sides for heat and humidity and one in the middle twords the bottom. Usually humidity ranges from 100% to 85% and the temp is usually 80-90 degrees f. GB: I'm almost positive this is probably what happened. Your temp is a little high. I bet the one abandoned the shell and was soaking in the pool and the E saw an easy meal. I recommend temp get no higher than 85. You can also buy a digital Acurite hygrometer/thermometer from Walmart or Amazon. In Walmart it is by the home improvement section by the air filters. https://smile.amazon.com/AcuRite-Thermo ... hermometer
3. Uth heaters on the back and the sides of the tank.
4. Fresh and salt are both available. And changed out weekly or when dirty. I used pre made salt water from petco. And fresh water is dechlorinated using a store bought fish tank de chlorination drops. GB: Premade saltwater from petco? if it is for hermit crabs it is crap. You need marine salt water. You can purchase a box of instant ocean for $10 and it will last you a year. You will save money making your own salt water. Instant ocean has all of the essential minerals that the hermit crabs need. Use a dechlorinator with the water, and mix according to directions.
5. I feed a variety of fresh fruits and veggies. Typically melons, Berry’s, banana is a favorite. Coconut, broccoli, peanuts, almonds, tomatoes, cucumbers. for protein I give peanut butter, lean cuts of pork, chicken and fresh fish cuts. It’s changed out every other day. Or if it looks gross before then I change it. I also have celery growing in the tank. GB: Calcium? You need a cuttlebone from the pet store. You can get it from the bird section. You also need more of a selection of protein for the e - bugs, etc. Get it from the reptile section of pet store. Make sure you cover all aspects of food pyramid Foods should be organic when possible. Hermit crabs are sensitive to pesticides and fertilizers.
Safe food list: viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92557
Unsafe food list: viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92556
Food pyramid: viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92554
6. The one that died. I’ve had her for about two or three months. I’m not 100% sure if it was Medusa or not. I had two that were molting. Both E, two pp were out and about. When this attack had to of occurred. One pp is one of my originals. I’ve had her for about a year. And the other pp is my baby Aries who is the size of a quarter.
7. See above.
8. 22 gallon long tank. Plexiglas lid with hinges in the middle. GB: IMO each E requires 10 gallons for spacing requirements
9. There were 4 crabs. Two medium. And two small ones. GB: Following my above statement, IMO you are overcrowded.
10. About 3-4 per crab. All different sizes and shapes. GB: The HCA recommends 3-5 shells per hermit crab. I personally recommend more. It never hurts to have more There are incorrect shells to buy. Here is the shell guide: viewtopic.php?f=24&t=92552
11. No recent fumes.
12. I usually just pick up and re organize the tank on sundays. I use a dry papertowl to wipe down the glass. No cleaner. If needed I’ll used a little dechlorinated water on the paper towel. When they’re all out and not Molting. Usually about once a month. I’ll take out all the plastic and boil it in dechlorinated water to keep the smell and the mold down.
13. No sponges. I keep a ramp and gravel in the dishes.
14. The celery plant. But it was about three weeks ago.
15. I like to take my crabs out and let them run in a large shoe box when I clean the cage.
16. See above.

[Ankutchey]

I also recommend little bone as a great source or calcium. I have mine crushed and in a shell dish for them at all times. I found they eat it this way more then as a whole piece (and you will definitely see them eating it). Sometimes I'll mix a large amount of little bone in with honey for a treat

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[GotButterflies]

You can also offer crushed coral, crushed oyster shell, eggshell also

[piratetoothgir]

You can also offer crushed coral, crushed oyster shell, eggshell also

Let me include that you can use any thin shells that are unwearable, or not being used at the time.
I crush old shells from the beach, and use them as little calcium bites. They love it